Cornelia Walters-Jones
Patriotism Helps Jamaica Grow
Cornelia Walters-Jones has boundless
patriotism for Jamaica, “di place where
she born an’ grow”. Getting a taste of
being a member of the diaspora and
being the mother of two Jamaican
daughters has strengthened her resolve
to create a successful online business that
either directly or indirectly provides jobs
for
Jamaicans.
Her
website,
Jamaicangyal.com, has existed since 2016
and has been selling local products to
members of the diaspora since July 2017.
I recently met this dynamic woman to
learn more about her business and her
vision for its growth.
Why Jamaicangyal.com?
I have a Bachelor’s degree in
International Trade and Customs and a
Masters degree in Project Management
and I attended university in Mexico for
both degrees. Being away from home
gave me a chance to experience first-
hand what it’s like to be a member of the
diaspora. I often longed for our local
treats, spices and seasonings.
Additionally, I worked in the export
departments at both Lasco and the
Jamaican Biscuit Company. Both
experiences
required
consistent
interaction with the ports and various
export bodies. I soon realized that there
was a gap in the market for providing
members of the diaspora with the
tangible elements of Jamaica they miss.
Being away from home can be lonely and
depressing; having these simple comforts
often makes a huge difference.
Issue �: January ����
Describe your business in
one word.
Necessary. Most of my customers come
from Europe and they constantly remind
me that they need the service I’m
providing.
What products does your
website focus on?
There are two sides to the business.
Firstly, I sell products on a retail basis
through the website. Whatever products
my customers need that can be shipped, I
provide. There are some pre-packaged
baskets and products available on the
website but customers can send me
special requests and I’ll fill the orders.
I’ve had customers request Prestige
donuts, Chippies, blue soap, a bag of
white rice (strange but true) and the list
goes on.
Secondly, I help businesses find
distributors. This element of the
business is quite costly and requires a
great deal of effort. Therefore, a client
requesting this service has to be willing
to invest both time and money. I focus
on the following markets: the United
States (US), Canada, the Caribbean and
Europe.
What challenges have you
faced as an online shopping
company in Jamaica?
Logistics and finding the right payment
gateway have been my challenges. The
Jamaica Post has been great with getting
deliveries to customers on time
(sometimes even before they are
expected). However, their fast
track delivery service is done
through DHL and that has caused
me some challenges. I want this
website to be the next Amazon of
Jamaica so I am working hard to
solve these challenges. It’s often
hard for local businesses to find
distributors because a lot of
regulations govern that process. I
help businesses work through
what they need to do.
How do you balance
entrepreneurship with
motherhood?
My two children, Emily (11) and
Elizabeth (4), give me life. I tread
a fine line between sanity and
insanity daily but I enjoy it! I also
have a hands-on husband who is
very supportive.
What resources would
you recommend to
someone who wants to
become an
entrepreneur?
It’s important to be actively aware
about current affairs, especially if
there is an export element to your
business. I recommend reading
the local newspapers, the
Financial Times and Harvard
Business
Reviews.
I
also
recommend joining local
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